5 Tips To Help With Your Night Shifts

Many people don’t realise how hard it is to spend your entire workday out of sync with the rest of the world. Working a night shift can seem like a drag, especially at first. But if you know how to adapt, you can make it easier on yourself. Here are five small tips on how to deal with your night shifts.

Stay Hydrated
There are a few tips that I find useful when working night shifts. The first one is to stay hydrated. This keeps you energised and less tired throughout your shift. Rushing around and tending to your patients is the most important priority but if you have a second to yourself remember to drink some water.

Meal prep
This seems like a long and strenuous task but make time before your shift starts to make a nutritious meal, this will then set you up for a good shift as you feel prepared and won’t worry when it comes to your break. It also helps to have healthy options on hand if you need a snack during your break.

Take a break
The last point links with this one, take a break! Even if it’s a busy night and you can’t take your full scheduled break, at least take 10 minutes to yourself to reset, hydrate and eat! Looking after yourself is important.

Limit caffeine
It might seem like a good idea in the moment to drink a cup of coffee or have an energy drink when you have a spare moment, but caffeine makes you dehydrated! This isn’t to say that you can’t have any caffeine on your shift but just don’t solely rely on it every time you take a break.

Exercise Regularly
Before you start a night shift, exercise is the last thing on your mind, but that way, you’ll get some extra energy throughout the day and will be more awake when working your night shift, as opposed to feeling tired. Exercising before your night shift also means you don’t have to do it after work, so then you will fall asleep easier.

In the end, the best way to deal with night shifts is to find ways to make it manageable. Be prepared, stay healthy and fit, sleep smart and feel fresh!